Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Farm Box LA: Bringing the Farmers Market to Your Door
Founder Chako Fairbanks sits with her signature Farm Box LA basket (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
()
A new breed of CSA called Farm Box LA is bringing baskets bursting with local produce harvested at local farms to your door. And instead of working with just one farm like a traditional CSA, they cultivate relationships with several area farmers and pick the best for your delivery each week.
"We team with about 40 different farmers, producers, and artisans," says Chako Fairbanks, one of the company's founders. Fairbanks started Farm Box LA with her friend Reisha Fryzer, after quitting her job in marketing. Now instead of sitting behind a desk, she finds herself visiting the farms they source from on a weekly basis.
()
Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist
Here's how it works: Each Sunday morning at 6 a.m., Farm Box's partner farmers from around Southern California drop off their produce, which was usually harvested on Saturday, at the FarmboxLA warehouse space downtown. (They share the area with Weiser Family Farms, our favorite purveyor of heirloom potatoes.) The goods are then divvied up into their signature red baskets, and then delivered by noon to their 350 or-so customers throughout L.A. They plan on expanding the concept to San Francisco this summer.
Support for LAist comes from
"When we first set out, we were worried that it'd just be this upper eschalon of wealthy people ordering our baskets," says Fairbanks. "But we're finding that it's your average 25 to 35-year-olds who are curious about cooking and who really care about where thier food comes from."
()
Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist
Of course, quality local produce does come at a cost. The Farmboxes go for $52 for a small box, which feeds 1-2 people; $77 for a standard box, which is geared more towards families or for a couple who is cooking every night; and the $102 large box for a large family who really gets down in the kitchen. Subscribers can also make their box "complete," which means you'll get bread, juice, cheese, jams, and nuts, basically making it so that you don't have to make a trip to the grocery store during the week.
There are some unique offerings too, like the beauty box or the juicing box. They also have intelligently partnered up with various Crossfit gyms across town to offer a paleo box, which focuses on protein and veggies for those on the new, ever-so-trendy diet. The baskets are very customizable, and you can add in things like olive oil, Rockenwagner baguettes, or cheese individually, too.
With our first box, we got all kinds of crafty, making everything from pickled purple carrots to an apple galette. Since we cook on a nightly basis for various eager eaters, it was easy to breeze through a box in a week.
The folks at Farm Box aim to make the task of working with some lesser-known products like cherimoyas or celery root easier by including a weekly newsletter with recipes in their boxes.
"You don't have to be an amazing cook to make good food," says Fairbanks. "If you have really awesome ingredients, the job is pretty easy."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts. -
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
-
The budget gap has led to a tuition hike, along with spending cuts and fewer course offerings. At the same time, generative AI already has transformed higher ed — including post-grad job prospects.
-
The construction work is part of a $143.7 million plan to rehabilitate pavement between Van Nuys and Westwood along the Sepulveda Pass.
Best of LAist